Royal Chancery

The Judicial Reform

The Catholic Kings held a judicial reform dividing the Court of Chancery of Valladolid in two, placing the other seat in Ciudad Real. After incorporating Granada to their kingdoms and, in order to ennoble this city, the Catholic Kings decided to move the headquarters of Ciudad Real to the Nazari capital, according to a Royal Decree signed on February 8, 1505.

The first headquarters of the Chancellery of Granada were in the Albaicin neighbourhood, specifically in the Alcazaba, in front of the convent of Santa Isabel la Real.  Then it moved temporarily to the houses of the bishop and Patriarch of Indies, Juan Rodriguez Fonseca, until finding its final site in a new building, the first one to be specifically built in Spain to host a court of law.

The building has a clear Rennaisance configuration and was performed by Diego de Siloe. Construction began in 1540 and was completed in the year 1587. It has two parts, the Chancery and the Jail, both joined by a triangular cellblock. The main facade is open to Plaza Nueva (New Square).

The Courtyard

The centerpiece of the building is a two-story courtyard with a fountain in the center. The galleries surrounding it are composed of rounded arches surmounted by acanthus corbels at its highest point or lintel. In the spaces between the arches, the spandrels, there are medallions with busts and heads. The upper gallery is linteled with a stone balustrade.

The walls in both galleries are decorated with paintings including imperial crests.

This courtyard, one of the most beautiful in Granada, can be accessed through a hallway located at a lower level. In its final stretch five arches are opened supported by pillasters.

The staircase

The stairs are located at the courtyard's northwest angle.  It was performed by Pedro Marin in 1578 and adorned with sculptures executed by Alonso Hernandez. It is designed in three turns. It is covered by a coffered ceiling and features a vegetal decoration based on gold pendants. There is a frieze around it with King Felipe II’s crest in its larger sides.

The base of the stairs is formed by three rounded arches supported on pilasters. In the side arches, we can find the allegorical sculptures of the Virtudes. Above these sculptures, there is a pediment divided with the Catholic Kings’ crest. The central arch features a cartouche with figureheads supported by two little angels among sea animals. At the top of the stairs there is a triple arch.

The Façade

The façade is the greatest instance of Mannerist arquitecture in Granada. It was designed by Francisco del Castillo. He was trained in Italy, as other Spanish artists who brought new artistic trends that had previously emerged there. It was executed by the mason Martin Diaz de Navarrete. The sculptures are by Alonso Hernandez.

It is composed of two bodies and seven sections. In the center we find the façade, formed by a rounded arch framed by Corinthian columns over pediments. It is adorned by granadas, the city’s emblem. It is surmounted by a triangular divided pediment, where there is a cartouche with a text making reference to king Felipe II and its date of rebuilding.

The main balcony is on the second level. It has a curved and double triangular pediment. On its sides the symbolic sculptures of La Justicia and La Fortaleza appear, flanking the large royal coat.

Balconies are alternatively surmounted by triangular curved pediments, supported by classical influence columns.  

The building is surmounted by a stone balustrade crowned by high pinnacles. A metallic shrine is situated on the center housing a big clock.

This building is classified as Cultural Interest Site and is seat of the Andalusian High Court of Justice.

We recommend:

The Puerta de las Granadas Hotel. This charming little "typical" hotel of only 14 rooms is located in a building of the XIX century, totally rehabilitated in 2004. It is magnificently situated in the historic center of town, between the Alhambra, the Albayzin and the Cathedral. All Granada within walking distance.